Vivian Garcia |
London, Sep 7 (EFE) They represent a clear challenge for the reign of Carlos III.
With the death of Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, the United Kingdom said goodbye to an entire era, marked by the stoicism of a head of state who refused to give an opinion on anything, much less politics, but who knew how to navigate between that sea of scandals and controversies of some members of the royal family.
After ascending to the throne upon the death of his mother, Charles III was quick to mark his style by bathing in crowds during the days of national mourning, getting out of his vehicle with Queen Camilla to greet the people gathered in front of the palace. of Buckingham, in London, or in the residence of Holyroodhouse, in Scotland.
Like Elizabeth II, the king faces family problems due to the continuous criticism of his youngest son, Prince Enrique, against the Royal House, after he and his wife, Meghan, stopped working for the monarchy and took up residence in USA.
“The monarchy represents stability and continuity, and that is what we have seen so far in Charles’s reign,” Robert Hazell, a prestigious expert in constitutional law at the Department of Political Science at University College London (UCL), told EFE.
Popular support for the monarchy
The latest opinion polls show that this continuity is supported by the British.
According to a survey by the YouGov firm, 61% of those consulted said they were in favor of maintaining the institution of the monarchy, compared to 24% who opted for having a head of state elected at the polls, while the rest did not wanted to comment
YouGov interviewed 2,020 adults across the UK between August 26-28. 59% of those interviewed expressed their satisfaction with the work of Carlos III, compared to 17% who thought otherwise.
Although Prince Harry refuses to see his father and brother, Crown Prince William, because of the poor treatment he says his wife, the American Meghan Markle, received, Hazell believes that the duke will not be able to harm the monarchy.
“The Duke of Sussex,” he said, “has little support in the UK, according to polls, and has left the royal family, so anything he does is unlikely to do more harm.”
Republicanism makes itself heard
Republican voices were heard when Carlos III was crowned in Westminster Abbey on May 6.
Supporters of the Republic organization carried banners rejecting the monarchy along the King’s carriage ride from Buckingham Palace to the abbey.
The demonstration resulted in the arrest of Republic leader Graham Smith and other members of the group, despite the fact that it was a peaceful gathering of this rising movement.
To adapt the monarchy to new times of austerity, Charles III has followed in his mother’s footsteps by wanting to reduce the number of members of his family who work for the institution.
“In the next few years we will see a gradual reduction in the size of the royal family, of the ‘royals’ who exercise it, because several of them are old and will soon retire. “Charles has always said that he wanted to reduce the royal family,” Hazell stated.
